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Handy Hardware Sees Record Numbers at Spring Market

February 18, 2011

Despite the colossal winter storm that was hitting the country, Handy Hardware posted record attendance to their spring market, held Feb. 3-5 in Houston, Texas, according to the company.

“We were very, very pleased considering everything we had to work with,” said Mickey Schulte, vice president of purchasing and marketing. “We had a record turnout with 729 stores showing up.” He explains that attendance was a little “touch and go” for a while because of the weather, but on Saturday, the market floor was flooded with retailers who had finally made it to Texas once the roads (and skies) cleared.

Along with record attendance, there was also a tone of optimism in the air at this year’s spring market, according to Schulte. Retailers were more excited than ever to hit the market floor. “The last two years, retailers have come to the markets and bought conservatively. But, we saw some of those attitudes change a little bit this time around, they are gearing up for a more successful year and are looking forward to the busy spring season,” says Schulte.

Retailers gathered at the market to check out the latest products they could stock in their store, but also to hear about some of Handy’s accomplishments and announcements.

“The biggest news we have is that our new Meridian, Miss., distribution center is now up and running,” says Schulte. The new distribution center has been a huge project for Handy Hardware and they are proud to have it serve their retailers, he says.

Another initiative Handy announced at the market was the revamped website and internal computer system which will not only improve the look and functionality of the website, but improve internal communications.